What electrical thing have you done not up *to code*

[mobiledynamics]

I need to run 70 feet of conduit from exterior through a interior wall. It will be unsupported the entire run.

Preface: I do plan to properly support it at some point by cutting out the walls .

It's a straight shot. I plan to just drill a hole from the exterior - and fish out the flex conduit in the inside wall. It will not be properly *supported* and will just lay about 3 feet off the floor. (entrance hole is about 5 feet high and the interior end, I will be able to secure it from that one hole I am making).

Let me hear it. Hack work or not, I'm just not okay with cutting the walls at this time...


It's not like I'm running 12awg on a 31 amp circuit....

 

[allinon72]

Let me save you the trouble -

Your house will burn down not 24 hours after you install this, this is why homeowners shouldn't do electrical, only a godly licensed electrician certified in all 54 states should be allowed to touch a piece of Romex....

I think that about covers it.

 

[gatchel]

Do it to code or don't do it at all.

Why can't you just strap the conduit to the wall if it is "temporary"?

 

[rockwithjason]

cables or flex conduit fished into finished walls are not required to be supported in the wall cavity. the wall exit counts as a support so once you exit the wall cavity the support rules apply

 

[The mean fish]

I haven't finished framing the wall where my shop sub panel is located so it's free standing on top of the 3' of conduit coming out of the slab. I've got a couple temp outlets mounted on the bottom of the panel so I have power while I finish the shop, I use some velcro straps to take the weight off the cords so they don't pull the breaker panel too close to the ground.

 

[Falcon67]

Not seeing the bad there. Hell, I ran a fish tape to pull a new plug in the kitchen and had such hell with the fish that I just left the tape in there and used it for the ground path.

April fool.

 

[Fueler]

IF you KNOW how to do this to code and intend to do exactly that and this is TEMPORARY before the final inspection I don't see why it is even a question. You are the one stumbling around it. Some common sense should be used.

If you don't know...well.... get some hired pro help.

 

[Zeke]

Hook, line and sinker.

 

[rancherbill]

I need to run 70 feet ......

It's a straight shot. I plan to just drill a hole from the exterior - and fish out the flex conduit in the inside wall........

What brand of fish are you using? Seventy feet through air is pretty impressive.

 

[shooting4life]

When I added the lights and some outlets to the garage I didn't use GFI outlets. I have one installed by the sink/washer/dryer. I don't see the need on the circuit for the lights or for the bench that is on the other side of the garage.

 

[Mustang51js]

I have my 200 amp service being fed with 16-3 t-stat wire.

 

[jrsulo]

I have my 200 amp service being fed with 16-3 t-stat wire.

 

[volleyball]

I have my 200 amp service being fed with 16-3 t-stat wire.

I see your problem, you should have 16-2 with ground rod. What a hack!!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Do it to code or don't do it at all.

First, I am not a licensed electrician but I have pulled some wire and installed a few outlets and light fixture.

I have a small issue with that statement. Do you do it to the current code or to the code when the original work was installed ? Example : I believe that current code call for ground on an outlet be connected via a pig tail to the ground wire and the box if it is metallic instead of letting ground connect through the metal box and screws.

So if you are replacing a couple of outlets on a 50 yo house you should do it to today's code ? If worked fine for 50 years, why change ?

 

[southalabama]

When I was a young man I made an extension cord with two male ends. I was trying to get power to a light I had installed down near the pond. Was about to fire it up when dad saw what I was doing.

I ended up putting Romex in conduit. Not code either but 20 yrs later it's still working.

 

[Yamaguy]

So you have a 70' long wall with no studs in it??.. What holds the drywall?

 

[mobiledynamics]

It's offset from the about 3-4 inches.

 

[Orionrising]

I installed a bare lightbulb in a closet...

well temporarily, as I like light when mudding sanding and painting without a big globe in the way.

 

[efncrx]

"To code" in other words as long as someone makes money in the process it's permissible.

I've got my compressor wired up via some hanging wires out of the wall and a few wire nuts, surely this is 100% against any code. But it works just fine. I sleep just fine at night.

Building inspections are another "put money in someones pocket" scam they dont cut open walls pull up flooring ect. My guess is that 50% of homes "pass code" from the outside of the wall and don't if they were actually inspected to the fullest.

My home passed its electrical inspection, I tore down a bathroom wall and there were hot wires just cut hanging there, 1885 built you can only imagine the flammable insulation touching the exposed wires. Don't mind that though my inspector made $800 in less than 2hrs.

 

[gatchel]

So if you are replacing a couple of outlets on a 50 yo house you should do it to today's code ? If worked fine for 50 years, why change ?

I would think that in 50 years "we" learn new things or see new hack jobs that were never thought possible. I would say to current code.

While you're at it (Not necessarily you just countering your point), if your house was originally wired with knob and tube, forget all that romex you were thinking was a waste anyway and continue tapping off the existing knob and tube. It worked in the late 1800's...

Ultimately you (the homeowner, not you specifically) can do what ever you want. If you want to have your dead family members on your conscious (worst case), have at it, right?

 

[mrobins297aaa]

ok i'll fess up

I don't have a ground rod on my sub panel in my barn. (it was inspected and approved)

and i haven't removed the nuetral bonding on my portable generator that i use thru a inter lock switch in my panel

 

[Syberia]

No tamper proof outlets (hate the things)

 

[bushmechanic]

My home is a warehouse in a small industrial estate, so I figure I'm best just hiring someone to do all the electrical bits.

That way, if everything goes pear-shaped, I can just point a finger.

One of the nice things about my living situation is the ability to step right out my front door and just yell for pretty much any service professional I require.

 

[James-W]

First, I am not a licensed electrician but I have pulled some wire and installed a few outlets and light fixture.

I have a small issue with that statement. Do you do it to the current code or to the code when the original work was installed ? Example : I believe that current code call for ground on an outlet be connected via a pig tail to the ground wire and the box if it is metallic instead of letting ground connect through the metal box and screws.

So if you are replacing a couple of outlets on a 50 yo house you should do it to today's code ? If worked fine for 50 years, why change ?

It is my understanding that when you replace/remodel/renovate or whatever else it is called these days, you are supposed to do the work in accordance with all the current codes/rules/regulations in effect at the time the work is done. This is not just for electrical work, I believe it applies to construction type work as well.

There are reasons why following the code is important. It not only is protection for the homeowner, it is also protection for the neighbors who may live next door. I suppose someone might say that the closest neighbor they have is 15 miles away. OK, in that case the neighbor's house is not in very much danger from a homeowner that does something totally wrong and causes a fire. But I am sure you get the idea, having codes to regulate how work is done is in the best interest of society as a whole.